Thank you for waiting, Justinian said with just a hint of sarcasm. Nonetheless, he suddenly became fully aware of the group of fliers that formed a rough semicircle in front of the spoon-shaped nose of the shuttle. All of them were pulsing with colors that showed they still contained passengers. No one was boarding the shuttle yet.
And so the games began, David Schummel said, following his gaze. He was looking in every direction but at the baby, Justinian realized. I got another call about five minutes before your flier touched down, telling me to abandon takeoff. Apparently the hyperdrive on the hypership has developed an irregular fault and they need to move it out of orbit in order to reduce the effect of Gateways gravitational field.
Justinian gazed at him. Thats all bullshit, isnt it? he said softly, and already he felt the defiance of the last two hours draining
away. Why fight the EA? It always won.
The captain leaned forward and touched Justinian on the arm. His lined face now looked very old; his voice was heavy with resignation.
Listen, Justinian, Ive seen this happen before. I flew a lot of missions in the Enemy Domain. Youre not the first person Ive met who has tried to get away from a situation he didnt like, only to be held up by a series of seeming coincidences. The only difference today is that the EA doesnt have its usual web of senses covering Gateway. It cant pick up the smallest nuances of your expressions; on this planet it doesnt have the finesse to cause subtle effects to gradually unravel that lead you to places you dont want to be. It has to employ a more direct approach.
Justinian held his son close and gazed at Schummel, who looked away, embarrassed.
Justinians voice was low and firm. It can be as direct as it wants. I dont care. Im leaving. It was his last attempt to take back control of his own actions. The baby shifted in his arms, eyes closing; he was tired. Justinian felt tired, too. He pulled his son up and rested the babys little head against his shoulder.
Schummel stared at the grooved pattern set into the rubbery material of the ground and shook his head. A cold breeze stirred, carrying the scent of autumn soil. The whole planet smelled like that, like the land here was not so much on the verge of waking up but rather at the beginning of the process that would eventually result in a spring.
Finally, Schummel looked up at Justinian, and his voice was gentle.
Justinian, I know how you feel, but youre not the only person on this planet. Look around you.
Justinian kept his eyes fixed on David Schummel, but all around him he could feel the pulsing lights of the other fliers. Some of them had dropped their exit hatches. All around him were people standing in the shadows of their craft, trying not to stare in his direction.
I want to go home, Justinian said.
So do they, Schummel said gently. He reached out and laid his hand on the babys sleeping head. Look, even if by some means you do get to be on the shuttle when it lifts, what will happen next? Will it develop a fault? Will the hypership hit a gravitational curve and find itself locked into a path around this planet? You know that the more you fight it, the less subtle the EA will become.
Justinian wasnt listening anymore. He knew now he was going to stay. There was no defying the wishes of the EA.
Okay, okay. Ill stay, he said softly.
David Schummel gazed at him. Thank you. He paused, looking towards the rear of the flier. Justinian turned to see that Leslie had just emerged.
Ill take the baby, shall I? the robot said.
I could take the baby with me, said Schummel suddenly. One of the astronomers space-side has brought her daughter with her; shes about the same age as your son.
I know. Mareka, Justinian said. I met her on the way out.
Schummel nodded. I thought you might have. Shes nice, isnt she? Good with kids. Your son would be in safe hands.
Justinian looked sideways. He could see the shape of his sons head as it lay against his shoulder, could feel the regular rhythm of his breathing. The thought of passing him to a stranger filled him with sadness.
No, he said. No, I cant let him go. Hes already lost his mother
The captain nodded again.
Around them, the shuttle was coming to shimmering life. Patterns of lights began to twinkle on the wings above them. Something awoke deep in its ancient engines. The occupants of the other fliers were already making their way past. Justinian heard the occasional muttered expression of thanks as they walked by. David Schummel tilted his head as he listened to something.
Weve got the word to go. Theyve fixed the fault space-side and are moving the hypership back into orbit. Takeoff in three minutes.
Surprise, surprise.
Schummel fixed him with a stare. Youre a good man, Justinian. You deserve better than this. I hope you get whatever it is you are doing here finished as soon as possible, then get off this planet.
Me, too, Justinian said. He felt angry at the EA-so angry. It wasnt fair, but when Schummel offered his hand, Justinian pointedly ignored it. He couldnt help it. He had to take his frustration out on somebody. David Schummel looked down at his own hand, nodded ever so slightly, then withdrew it. He turned and made his way back towards the shuttle. Justinian watched the tall man go, finding himself left alone as the occupants of the other fliers boarded the shuttle and the ramp raised itself. He watched the wings sparkling and flashing as the air around them was ionized and shaped into a path through which